Define electric current and explain it. Write its $SI$ unit.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Electric current is defined as the net flow of charge through a cross-section of a conductor per unit time.
Consider a cross-section of a conductor where a net charge $q$ flows in time $t$. For a steady current,the current $I$ is given by $I = \frac{q}{t}$.
When the flow of charge changes with time,the instantaneous current $I$ is defined as the limit of the average current as the time interval approaches zero:
$I = \lim_{\Delta t \rightarrow 0} \frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta t} = \frac{dQ}{dt}$.
The direction of conventional current is taken to be the direction of motion of positive charge. Since positive charges do not flow in metallic conductors,the direction of current is taken opposite to the direction of motion of electrons.
The $SI$ unit of electric current is the Ampere $(A)$,where $1 \text{ Ampere} = 1 \text{ Coulomb/second}$.
One Ampere is defined as the current flowing through a cross-section of a conductor when $1 \text{ Coulomb}$ of charge flows through it in $1 \text{ second}$ ($6.25 \times 10^{18}$ electrons).

Explore More

Similar Questions

In a closed circuit,the current at time $t$ is given by $I = 4 - 0.08t$. The number of electrons passing through the cross-section of the conductor in $50 \ s$ will be:

In a hydrogen discharge tube,it is observed that through a given cross-section,$3.13 \times 10^{15}$ electrons are moving from right to left and $3.12 \times 10^{15}$ protons are moving from left to right per second. What is the electric current in the discharge tube and what is its direction?

$A$ flow of $10^{7}$ electrons per second in a conducting wire constitutes a current of

$A$ source of $e.m.f.$ $E = 15\,V$ and having negligible internal resistance is connected to a variable resistance so that the current in the circuit increases with time as $i = 1.2t + 3$. Then,the total charge that will flow in the first five seconds will be ............... $C$.

Across a metallic conductor of non-uniform cross-section, a constant potential difference is applied. The quantity which remains constant along the conductor is

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo